TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has distributed more than eight billion servings of the free nutritious meals (MBG) since the program commenced in January 2025, according to the country's Ministry of Health.
"To date, approximately eight billion plates have received free meals during the program," said Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus in Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
At least 60 million free nutritious meal servings are distributed daily to students from preschools to high school and vocational schools, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
He added that around 27,649 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), or public kitchens, distribute the meals across 38 Indonesian provinces.
Of the total operational SPPGs, 56.72 percent have obtained a Certificate of Hygiene Sanitation (SLHS), an official license demonstrating that the business meets government-backed health and hygiene standards.
This number equates to 84.80 percent of the 18,493 SPPGs that have applied for SLHS (Serving School Certificates). Indonesia is targeting all operational public kitchens to obtain the license, without exception.
According to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the government has successfully established more than 27,000 SPPGs in Indonesia within one year and four months as part of the efforts to support President Prabowo Subianto's priority program.
Meaning, BGN currently has 27,000 SPPG heads, 27,000 nutritionists, 27,000 accountants, and 1.1 million volunteers assigned to the flagship program under Prabowo Subianto's AstaCita goals.
In West Sumatra alone, the nutrition agency recorded 404 SPPGs, 70 of which are located in Padang City. With this total, at least Rp400 billion is circulating in the Minang region to meet the demand for free nutritious meals.
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